Just a few days after the election of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as NPP flagbearer, discussions about the choice of a vice presidential candidate have re-ignited yet again.
Although previous conversations about a running mate (even when Dr. Bawumia had not picked forms to contest the flagbearership position) narrowed it to Minister for Energy and Manhyia South MP, Matthew Opoku Prempeh, more names have come up.
Names of personalities like Majority Leader Osei-Kyei Mensah Bonsu, 1st Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Wusu, and Minister of Education Yaw Osei-Adutwum have strongly come up for mention for the vice-presidential slot.
Others include Deputy Finance Minister John Ampontuah Kumah, MP for Okere Dan Botwe, and, interestingly, the immediate past chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Professor Opoku-Onyinah.
As cumbersome as the permutations may seem, it is clear that the potential running mate for Dr. Bawumia must not be based on hard-core competency alone but on their ability to generally work effectively with him.
Considering the fact that the potential vice president will not be an officer of their own, but an extension of the values and vision espoused by his boss, the new NPP flagbearer will need to pick someone who represents this trait.
This article would not attempt to suggest or predict who should be selected as a running mate but will provide an overview of some important considerations the chooser(s) must note.
Regional Balance
In trust, regional or geographical assessments are a key factor in decisions about running mates, particularly in Africa. People want to consider themselves part of the elected officials and pushing them up in the echelons of power will yield direct and indirect benefits for them. The regional balance argument is silent about competency and loud about the candidate’s ability to influence the masses to support the candidature of the flagbearer. In the recent presidential elections, regional-based support was reflected in the endorsements by delegates in the Central and Northern Regions for Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Bawumia, respectively. Historically, Ashantis has been noted to strongly support the NPP and Ewes the NDC because the leaders and flagbearers leading these parties came from regions that were somewhat affiliated with the region. Dr. Bawumia may want to select someone whose affiliation with a region can boost his electoral fortunes, depending on the party’s strategies.
Complementarity
In Ghana, flabgearers are noted to select running mates who cover up for an important area of governance that they lack. Out-and-out politicians typically went for academicians or researchers to help with the numbers game when it came to running the affairs of the country. The complementarity rule basically says to look at your most important vision for the country and go for someone who can help you prosecute that aspect of your vision you are not too good at.
Statesmanship
It is important to consider how fit and proper the prospective candidate appears locally and globally. How they relate to people, their communication abilities, their international experience, and their diplomatic capabilities Quite noteworthy is the fact that global politics has moved from straight and hard governance towards effective communication, persuasive abilities, innovative ideas, empathy, endurance, and pragmatism. The general talk, especially in the African context, is “politicians are cunning”, “we are fed up with politicians” “all politicians are the same”, etc. The running mate must fit into this new expected breed of politicians.
Ambition vs. performance
Although there is nothing wrong with ambition, it is important for the flagbearer to select someone who will deliver faithfully on their mandate rather than focusing on taking the reins of power midway through his administration. Posterity will ultimately judge the performance of the leader rather than the running mate. The leader must have a means of testing the loyalty of the running-mate prospect.
Ability to act effectively and efficiently in the leader’s absence
In 2012, Ghana’s democratic credentials were tested when the sitting president unfortunately passed on, resulting in the then vice president, John Mahama, assuming power. Although rare, the NPP flagbearer should choose a person who can fit into his position if the unfortunate happens: a tough-minded person who broadly agrees with the mission and values of the non-existent president and can deliver on them dutifully.
Factors such as religion and gender should be the least likely to be considered, in my opinion. Indeed, a factor such as gender, specifically selecting a woman as a running mate, could hugely work in the leader’s favour, provided the above factors have been critically considered and adopted.
Contemporary citizens are looking at a leader’s ability to perform within their term of office and lead better lives and are less disinterested in what one is and what one believes once their beliefs are not injurious to the generally acceptable culture and belief systems of society.
The current vice president and now NPP flagbearer will have to do a fair blend of these considerations, but again, he will essentially have to settle on a person he can practically work with if given the opportunity by Ghanaians to become president in December 2024.
